Thursday, January 17, 2013

Chris Botti is a hunk. If they made a “Sexy Men of Jazz” calendar, he would certainly be Mr. December. Just ask Katie Couric! But beyond his all-American looks, the jazz trumpeter actually possesses serious chops. Studying with Woody Shaw and Bill Adam at Indiana University before moving to New York in the ’80s, he then went the pop route, forming creative partnerships with Paul Simon, Sting and Joni Mitchell, snagging many Grammy nominations along the way. Though he’s able to hold his own at the Village Vanguard, on his latest album Botti continues to blend pop and jazz, performing “romantic melodies” with the likes of Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Mark Knopfler and Andrea Bocelli. He blows on Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Napa Valley Opera House. 1030 Main St., Napa. 8pm and 7pm. $80—$90. 707.226.7372.